Actress Susan Sarandon honoured in Hong Kong for contribution to cinema
Thank you for bringing me, screen star says of her first visit to city, as she is presented with Liberatum Cultural Honour
Art week in Hong Kong is well and truly under way. As VIPs attended previews for the Art Basel and Art Central fairs, I joined a small group of VIPs for a private gala dinner for Academy Award-winning actress and activist Susan Sarandon where she was honoured for her outstanding contribution to cinema.
Among the guests who witnessed the award of the Liberatum Cultural Honour at the Upper House in Admiralty were interior designer Andre Fu, fashion designer Vivienne Tam, philanthropists and patrons of the arts Sally and Robert Lo, and art gallery owner Pearl Lam.
At the dinner, Liberatum founder and director Pablo Ganguli said of Sarandon, 68: "Crucially, we're here today because not only has this woman given us some of the best films of the last 30 years, but also because she's a passionate champion of human rights."
Simon de Pury, auctioneer and collection, added: "Breaking down the barriers between all of these creative categories, it's so exciting. We have one thing in common in this room - creativity". He praised Sarandon's film The Big Wedding where, he told the actress, he saw "one of the hottest scenes, between you and Robert De Niro".
"In the kitchen!" Sarandon interjected, to laughter from the guests.
"This cross-pollination [of creative sectors] is great," said Sarandon of Liberatum Artistry, a three-day programme Swire and Liberatum are presenting to coincide with Art Basel. She added: "I've never been here before, so thanks for bringing me."
